SVS PB-1000 & SB-1000 Powered Subwoofers Preview

SVS is rounding out their lineup with a new pair of affordable subwoofers, the SB-1000 and PB-1000. By affordable, we mean $499 with FREE shipping, the least expensive subwoofer SVS has ever offered! The SB-1000 is a sealed 12" subwoofer and the PB-1000 is a ported design with a 10" driver. SVS's goal behind these two new subwoofers was to reach an untapped market by offering similar performance quality as their more expensive units at a price point that budget minded audiophiles can appreciate. Because both subwoofers are the same price, consumers can choose the one that will best fit their needs. What we especially love about these two units is that they hit an entry-level price point but still maintain the build quality and features that many units twice their price lack.  High build quality, superbly executed engineering, great customer support and one of the best return policies in the industry all seem to be SVS hallmarks carried over even to their most affordable products. 

SB-1000

The SB-1000 offers high performance in a small package. Consider it the little brother of the SB12-NSD we reviewed. With a 13" square cabinet and overall dimensions of 13.5" (H) x 13" (W) x 14.6"(D)(includes feet, grill, amplifier), the SB-1000 is easy to hide. Unlike many other small subwoofers, it is still rated to play low, 24-260 Hz +/- 3 dB. Don't worry about fudged specs, the 24Hz rating is from a 2m ground plane measurement away from any reflections. It is only offered in one finish option, black ash. If the subwoofer is going to be hidden, then black ash is fine; otherwise, it would be nice to see a gloss or matte black option. It sports a single front-firing long-throw12" driver with vented pole piece, high-power voice coil, and  FEA-optimized motor technology for low distortion. The amp is a Sledge STA-300D with 300 watts RMS and 700 watts peak. Unlike many power ratings, these specs are on the conservative side. One of our favorite features is the DSP control, which means you shouldn't have to ever worry about pushing the subwoofer too hard. The SB-1000 sports stereo line-level and speaker level inputs and outputs, so it will hookup to any receiver. The low pass filter, volume, and phase control are all continuously variable. The control knobs are actually digital actuators for precise and noise-free adjustment. Eco-friendly consumers can also rejoice because of a .5 watt standby power consumption, RoHS compliance, and lead-free construction.

         SB-1000 Rear View                      SB-1000 Front View With Grill

PB-1000

The PB-1000 shares a lot in common with the SB-1000. The amp, inputs/outputs, DSP control, black ash finish, $499 MSRP, etc..., are all the same. The difference is in the cabinet size, frequency response, and driver configuration. The PB-1000 has a single 10" front-firing driver and a 3.5" port with inner and outer flares. This configuration allows for a lower frequency response of 19-270 Hz +/- 3 dB compared to the 24-260 Hz +/- 3 dB response of the SB-1000. The trade off is a larger and heavier enclosure. The PB-1000 is 46lbs (compared to 27lbs) with a 18.4" (H) x 15" (W) x 18.4"(D) cabinet and overall dimensions of 18.9" (H) x 15" (W) x 19.9"(D)(includes feet, grill, amplifier). Still, the PB-1000 is by no means a huge sub. For people who want more bass and/or have larger rooms, the PB-1000 is going to be a better option than the SB-1000.

PB-1000 Front View Without Grill         PB-1000 Front View With Grill

Conclusion

To be candid, we are really excited about these new subwoofers, and for good reason.  The PB-1000 and SB-1000 are roughly 2/3rd's the size of the PB12-NSD and SB-12NSD, respectively, and we'd expect the same type of quality of sound and performance on a slightly smaller scale.  These new subwoofers allow people to step into quality audio from a reputable manufacturer with industry leading customer support at the lowest price point yet. If the PB-1000 and SB-1000 offer similar performance to their bigger brothers in a smaller form factor and for less money, then the budget subwoofer market just got a lot more competitive.  Preorders begins on November 16th with orders starting to fulfill  on November 26th just in time for the holidays.

For more information, visit: the SB-1000 and PB-1000 Product Page.

Unless otherwise indicated, this is a preview article for the featured product. A formal review may or may not follow in the future.